The program has a limited enrollment and only admits a class in the fall of each year. Applications must be completed and submitted and supporting documents must be received no later than April 1 of the same year. If all slots have not been filled after the above deadline, there may be extensions to the deadline. Please check with the Admissions Office about the status of the program.

PHASE I - To be completed by April 1

The applicant must:

If you are not currently enrolled at SCC, complete an application to the college. Designate Respiratory Therapy AAS Degree (A45720) as the program of interest. If you are a current student, see Admissions to complete a change of major form if you wish to apply to this program..

Be a high school graduate or have earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED).

Submit official copies of all transcripts (high school and college). Transcripts must be sent directly from the institution. It is the responsibility of the applicant to assure that all necessary records are sent to the College Admissions Office.

Have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale of the most recent academic transcript (high school or postsecondary).

Meet the Southwestern Community College Placement Test requirement. This may be met by one of the following methods:

Take and pass the basic components of the Computerized Placement Test. These consist of algebra, arithmetic, reading comprehension, grammar and basic computer skills. The test is administered several times each week on the Jackson and Macon Campuses and is free of charge. To schedule a test session, contact Testing Services at extension 828.339.4332. If you do not pass the basic components of the placement test, it is recommended that you enroll in and successfully complete the appropriate developmental coursework. If you are unsuccessful in achieving the appropriate cut-off scores in any component of the test, please see the academic retest policy.

Appropriate SAT or ACT scores and successful completion of high school or college computer literacy course within the past six years. See admissions section for additional details.

Provide an official high school transcript indicating graduation within the last five years with a minimum unweighted GPA of 2.6 and completion of a "fourth math" beyond Algebra II.

Complete a minimum of 6 hours of observation time in Respiratory Therapy at a health care facility. A form for documenting is available from the program advisor. It is the prospective students responsibility to obtain necessary documentation of attendance and return to the admissions office. It is the student's responsibility to schedule your observation visits. If you have questions about possible sites, please get approved list from program advisor.

Those individuals who have completed all parts of Phase I by the appropriate deadlines will be scheduled for a personal interview. Applicants will be notified of date and time.

PHASE III

Those individuals who are notified of acceptance status will be provided with SCC health forms to be completed by the appropriate medical personnel. The completed medical forms must indicate that you are capable of meeting the physical requirements for the program. The deadline for submitting the completed forms to the program director is Aug. 1.

Notes:

Applicants are responsible for submitting all the necessary records to the Registrar's Office.

Applications must be updated annually by applicants who were not accepted the previous year.

Applicants may take non-respiratory care, general education and related coursework prior to being accepted into the program.

All students admitted into a health science program will be required to submit to a criminal background check and/or drug testing, prior to, enrollment each academic year. The results of these tests could affect the student’s ability to progress in the program.

All students completing a health science program may be required, by an external testing agency, to submit to a criminal background check and/or drug test prior to a state or national licensing/certification board approving the graduate to sit for licensure/certification exams.

Academic Standards:

The program requires that students maintain a high level of academic and clinical performance in accordance with program policies. Failure to meet these standards will prevent normal progression through the program.

Upon completion of the program graduates will be eligible to take the national exams and may apply for a state license to practice.